I’ve thought about this at some length, and, it’s a common question I’m asked about by friends etc when wanting to grow tomatoes.
In my admittedly limited experience of growing tomatoes in grow-bags I’ve found that the plants have required more attention as a result of the grow-bags.
Firstly, it’s well documented that tomatoes require support. They grow deep roots to search for nutrients and water. Grow-bags do not accommodate this. They are less supported by their root system in grow-bags without the usual staking they require. Now, the staking they require – usually by bamboo canes, cannot be pushed in deeply enough in order to provide good support without them leaning over, or collapsing in heavy rain.
So, what do you do to deal with this? Spend more money to get special wire support stands to put canes in. Or, buy ‘Grow-Pots’ or similar (which are a pretty neat idea as it happens) in order to heighten the level of compost around the tomato plant, plus provides a reservoir of water to enable efficient watering. Which brings me on to the next problem with grow-bags……
Have you ever tried watering them successfully? It’s pretty difficult in my experience. Most of the water runs off the grow bag, and it doesn’t hold much water in it. In really dry weather I’ve found myself having to water them twice a day and the plants still wilt after a few hours. Again, unless you buy further gadgets such as the ‘Grow-Pots’ to put them in, it’s made far more complicated than it needs to be.
So, if I’m asked, tomato plants should be planted directly in the ground once hardened off, or in deep plant pots at least 10 inches in diameter. (Plastic or metal is actually better than terracotta, unless you line the terracotta pots with an old compost bag).
So, are grow-bags worth it generally? Yes, I think so. Strawberries do pretty well in grow bags. There is no need to provide a mulch – the plastic grow bag cover provides this if you plant through a small slit rather than cutting out a huge hole. Growing other vegetables such as lettuces, beetroot etc are great. Also for growing herbs. But for tomatoes – no, they are not worth it.
I agree … growing tomatoes in grow bags requires more work because of the limited supply of water and area for root growth.
I think that large pots and containers are better.
Absolutely Nick. Whilst ‘Grow Pots’ are a very clever solution to the tomato-grow-bag problem, you’d not have the problem in the first place if you planted them straight into a pot that would probably be cheaper than the ‘Grow Pots’.
You could still buy the grow bags for the enriched compost, but just empty the soil into a plant pot instead of planting into the grow-bag.
I’d be interested to know what other people’s experiences are too. Can’t be just us two!
We are trying grow bags again–after a dismal attempt last year. Last year we followed the directions, not this year!This year we split the bags in half and put them up on their sides-and planted one plant in each half. This worked out cheaper than buying pots, and we have limited space-and wanted to put them in the green house.
So far–it’s the best year I’ve had, and many are already going red. We also put slits on the sides of the bags for added drainage, and there was enough room at the top of the bags to fold over the top to make a stronger rim around the top. Will let you know the end results if you’d like.
(I stumbled on your blog looking for a blackberry jam recipe)
Wow! Brilliant idea Elizabeth! Sorry it’s taken so long to reply (spent a large part of last year hobbling on crutches and grumpy about not being able to garden).
What were the results, and which variety did you grow?
Willis – what variety will you be growing?
Sounds good, i planted some tomatos a little late last year, so when the frost hit they just died, boo. But planting in a growbag was definatley more inconvenient than a pot, so im going to use the contents of the bag and find a pot or go straight in the ground. Might start a few seedlings tomorrow
Cheers!
Willis
ADV
Willis, see above Elizabeth’s suggestion – sounds like a great one
What variety will you be growing? Perhaps we could have our own mini-trial?
Hey, i have some minibell ones and some ‘normal’ ones, so mainly patio style, although i have made a large plastic cover for a tub which currently has strawberrys in, i might do a switcheroo and have tomatoes and peppers in there with the grow bag soil, hmmmm the possibilities
Hello! Just saw the comments in my inbox–forgot all about this!
But yes–the grow bags cut in two worked REALLY well! We had our best yields ever–and they fruited (in the green house) till October. The gardners delight did best, Subartic did really well, they were followed by the tiny Roma tomatoes. All in all–best year ever for tomatoes!